Tuesday, March 15, 2022 (Travel to Cathedral Gorge State Park, Panaca, NV)

We got a fairly early start, leaving Hoover Dam Lodge and continuing on highway 93 through Boulder City, eventually getting on to the Interstate through Las Vegas. It was another beautiful sunny day but pretty smoggy in the distance...

Of course, we had some major road construction to get through...

We eventually got off I-15, and onto highway 93. After a quick rest break at Love's Travel Stop, we continued north on 93, passing a huge solar power farm...

Some scenery pictures along the way...

The long road ahead...

Swirl lines on the mountains...

We have been on this route before, stopping for a few nights at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge back in March, 2015. If interested, check out our blog by clicking here. Today we are passing by...

Part of the Pahranagat campground below...

Some gorgeous properties...

It appeared that they were burning fields...

At the junction with highway 318, we stayed on highway 93, that curves to the east for a bit before continuing north. The last time we took this route, we took 318, a "short-cut" that goes north towards Ely.

Back into Joshua Trees again...

Along straight stretch before heading up over the mountains...

A little snow...

We went over Oak Spring Summit, elevation 6237 feet...

Down we go...

A twisty, turny road!

Gorgeous!

Caliente, NV...

Just past Panaca, we turned into Cathedral Gorge State Park and followed the road into the campground. We'll check out the Visitors Center tomorrow...

The campground is just over a 1 1/2 miles into the park. Our first views of the geological formations...

The campground is fairly small with only 22 sites that have electric hookups only. Water spigots are available near the sites as well as a heated restroom/shower building. We were nervous as we drove the loop...there were very few sites available and any that were, would be too small for us. However, towards the end of the loop, there was a long 35+ only pull-through...the last one...and perfect for us! Earl and Allison took a smaller site behind us...perfect!

Military jets were a big distraction for Steve as he set up outside. Steve saw what he thinks were F-22 fighters refueling, then later he managed to get photos of B-1 Lancer bombers refueling...very cool!

Once all set up, Steve took some pictures of the campground from the small hill with a view next to us. 

That is Earl and Allison behind us...

Then it was time to get out for a hike and explore the area! We followed a trail that led over to the day-use area and slot canyons...

Looking back towards the campground...

The grandkids would have a ball here!

Looking for a geocache...

30 second video...

WOW! Thanks for recommending this place Fred and Terry...what a cool area! We are looking forward to exploring more tomorrow!

The wind had come up and it had gotten quite cool. But we found a nicely sheltered area to have our happy hour...between Earl and Allison's truck and trailer...